We’ve been at a homeschool conference doing the Vision Forum table this week - all 10 of us! This is only the second homeschool conference I have ever been to, and I have never seen more vans in my life: mini vans, full size vans, 12 and 15 passenger vans…it doesn’t look like a parking lot. It looks like Van Land at that huge auto dealership, with nary a compact car to be seen.

I can see why these events are dangerous to the budget. I want one of everything! The Book Peddler had a combination of my actual library and my dream library on display right across from our own booth. Danger.

Then there’s Miller Pads and Paper, at the end of the aisle in plain view. Blank books, high quality crayons and colored pencils, paper galore, art books, craft books, drawing pencils, paints. Danger.

There is a lego stand with a solar powered windmill, accompanied by a lady who is all-to-engaging when she leads the kids into figuring out how it works and how it will be affected if she moves the solar panel or covers it with her hand. Danger.

There was the Memorizer booth, with adorable spiral bound books and CDs to help young children memorize Scripture verses. Charmed by their products, I impetuously offered to help make their CDs available online as downloads. I’m hoping they take me up on the offer. “Of course you can keep a free copy of all the files you help us upload,” they will gratefully offer. “Why, how kind of you! Thank you. I’ll be delighted!” I’ll exclaim in pleased surprise.

My Father’s World: Like the Book Peddler, this booth also had every book I have ever owned and loved, along with many of those on my wish list. Danger.

There was a stand occupied by somebody who (gasp!) doesn’t subscribe to the theory that education is all about the 3 R’s and pouring as many facts as possible into small heads. No danger: he’s selling local classes to teach families to expand their learning rather than software or books, and we are not driving this far just because I like something about an educational method. But I did have fun picking his brain.

Then I went back to The Book Peddler to fill a few gaps in my library:

• Paul Revere’s Ride: The Landlord’s Tale for just $5.75 - not bad for a new hardcover, and even marginally cheaper than CBD. That’s not easy to do!
• Find the Constellations by H. A. Rey for less than CBD too. This place was good!
• Lives of the Musicians - this one is new to me, but has really piqued my interest. I hope it will do the same for the children!

I had the privilege of meeting the McDonald family, and later I will be sneaking out of the booth to hear Stacy’s keynote address on Virtuous Young Maidenhood: Growing a homeschooling heritage.

And now I have to get back to work!

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Filed under: Vision Forum, homeschooling